Medical marijuana talk is growing in Tennessee and now it will be up for legislative debate. Republican Senator Janice Bowling of Tullahoma has filed the first legislation of the year. It’s considered the most comprehensive form of medical marijuana legislation the state has seen. And every form of pot is on the table, from the seeds to what you smoke. If a doctor diagnoses a patient with one of several conditions, the patient would be allowed to use the drug. The bill lists around 20 ailments which would qualify. It also states individual city governments would have the right...

The Manchester Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) for its annual Seatbelts Are for Everyone (SAFE) campaign. This statewide initiative is designed to increase seatbelt usage and child passenger safety restraint usage through the implementation of occupant-protection programs, public events, and checkpoints throughout local communities across Tennessee. The SAFE campaign runs now through August 1, 2019. 2019 will be the sixth year the THSO has sponsored the SAFE campaign. Last year yielded the following results: • 1,182 child restraint violations • 13,165 seat belt citations • 305 other seat belt enforcement activities “In 2017,...

According to the CDC, flu activity in Tennessee has elevated from regional to widespread. According to the CDC’s numbers, 43 out of the state’s 95 counties have reported at least one confirmed case of the flu. Although widespread, confirmed flu cases still remain low in Tennessee. There are 245 confirmed flu cases so far in Tennessee, the majority of cases, 89, have been from East Tennessee. All county health departments run by the state are offering free flu...

Are you in a toxic relationship? You are if you use tobacco products. The Tennessee Department of Health joins partners across the state celebrating the third annual Tennessee Quit Week February 4 – 9, 2019 and invites all Tennesseans to support those who have quit using tobacco products and inspire more people to join them. This year’s Tennessee Quit Week theme is “Let’s Call It Quits!” urging smokers to break up with tobacco. Tennessee Quit Week raises awareness of the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine and other free resources available to help Tennesseans quit smoking and/or using other tobacco products. These...

Gas prices in Tennessee declined 3.5 cents last week. Monday’s state average of $2.02 per gallon is 39 cents less than this time last year. Tennessee drivers enjoyed the cheapest January at the pump in three years. Last month, Tennessee gas prices averaged $2.01 per gallon. The monthly average was 32 cents less than January 2018, and 11 cents less than January 2017. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said rising oil prices and the switch to summer blend gasoline will eventually boost prices at the pump in the coming months. The national average price of gasoline is $2.25 per gallon....

Up to 400 new jobs available IF a warehouse locates in Pelham, TN. A company is proposing to locate a warehousing/distribution facility in Pelham and will create up to 400 new jobs. The facility, if located in the area, will be a boost to the local economy and offer jobs to local residents who might otherwise have to leave the area for employment. Jobs have a starting wages of $11.25 per hour, not including benefits or shift differentials. Order Processor: Product Shipping, ability to process orders in accurate, efficient and timely shipping process. Ability to work with peers and...

As many as 68,000 Tennesseans would be affected by a proposal to require parents who now receive Medicaid to demonstrate that they’re working at least 20 hours a week, according to a new report. The report from the Tennessee Justice Center and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families is based on research on a similar policy in Arkansas, which led to more than 18,000 adults losing their Medicaid coverage in the first few months. Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown Center for Children, says the proposal is unlikely to promote more work, and most likely to...

If you have someone in the NHC Healthcare in McMinnville that you would like to visit, you’ll have to wait until next week. Due to the influenza virus, NHC Healthcare at 928 Old Smithville Rd. in McMinnville is asking that the community refrain from visiting until next Monday, Feb. 11th. This is for the safety of the patients as well as the partners, volunteers and family members. If you need an update on a patient, you may call the center at...